Heating mat for germination

[Mouse98]

Hello guys, I have never used a heating mat for germination before, but I decided to buy one for my habanero seeds and beans, anyway I got the growerology heating mat, a propagation tray, a seed cell tray, a humidity dome, and a insulated mat to put under the heating mat. I also bought some seed starting mix. I planted the bean and habanero seeds and plugged in the mat. The mat heated up and now the mat is hot, like really hot, but I put it in a hot room, the window is open so its getting sun and stuff like that. I know the mat isnt defective because a few days ago I plugged it in in a much cooler room and it didnt get nearly as hot. What can I do to prevent the seeds from cooking or the roots? Should I move it to a cooler area or where it is, is fine? Thanks!

[rainbowgardener]

The temperature of the room should not affect the temperature of the mat. They are thermostatically controlled. Yours is defective and will cook your plants.

[applestar]

You don't need a heating mat unless the ambient temp is cooler than you want/optimum germination temp. Is it winter where you are? (updating your profile would be a plus here)

Heating mats without thermostat just turns on and heats to its capacity... and optional plug-in thermostat slowly heats the mat over several hours until the probe registers x°F (I think -- at least mine) above the temp set on the thermostat, then turns off the power to the heat mat, cycling off and on.

[Mouse98]

Thank you for the replies! No it is not winter where I live, its 102 F where I live right now.

[rainbowgardener]

Thank you for the replies! No it is not winter where I live, its 102 F where I live right now.

Then why ever would you want a heat mat for germination?! Ambient temperature is higher than you would ever want your mat set for!

[Mouse98]

Thank you for the reply, yeah I agree with you, I guess the good thing is is next february or so if I want I can germinate seeds and I will have the proper equipment. When I feel the heating mat its hot but not like burning your hand hot and the top of the soil is warm. So O should inplug the heating mat and put it away and leave the seeds where they are? When I plug the heating mat in my bedroom the mat gets warm, not hot. But my room is not as hot as the spare room, so I don't think the heating mat is defective. Thanks!

[Gary350]

I replant my garden about August 1st seeds will not germinate in the garden in 100 degree heat. I plant seeds in plant trays inside the house at 72 degrees. Plants are slower to germinate at 72 than 80 degrees. Don't go over 80.

[Mouse98]

Cool, is there anyway I can tell what the temp is in my soil without a thermometer, like with my finger? Like if its warm then its this or if its hot its this? Thanks!

[applestar]

Some of my instant read food thermometer have found 2nd life as seedstarting gadgets. About $5-$10.

[SQWIB]

I use a thermostat for my mats, from what I understand the matts should only get 10 degrees hotter than the ambient temperature befor kicking off.




its a bit pricey but an investment.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000N ... UTF8&psc=1